CBS is doubling down on Sheldon next season, as the network announced during its upfronts that The Big Bang Theory and its prequel Young Sheldon are teaming up starting in November, when the lineup shifts following the end of Thursday Night Football. And, in fact, the sitcom appears to be the centerpiece of CBS’ sitcom-heavy schedule, with its prequel getting a special premiere September 25th to follow up on last season’s proposal cliffhanger and a Bazinga Block taking over on Thursdays in November.
Pairing the two shows might seem like overload, but CBS is aiming for a different tone with Young Sheldon, which is set in East Texas in 1989. Kelly Kahl, CBS’ head of scheduling, explained that people should think Doogie Howser, not Big Bang Theory Babies. “This is the story of Sheldon as a 9-year-old starting high school in Texas in 1989. This is a charming single-cam show that still has a lot of laughs in it.” As for the flagship show itself, CBS is hoping it’ll stick around for a long, long time. When CBS head Leslie Moonves was asked if the shows current two-season renewal was its last hurrah, he responded: “We hope it goes on beyond that. I can’t make any promises beyond that… In my book, Everybody Loves Raymond closed down three years too early.” They also revealed a new photo of the show:
Aside from the Bazinga Block, CBS’ schedule, once football wraps up, is surprisingly heavy on sitcoms, with two nights with nothing but comedies until the 10pm hour, although freshman dramas Wisdom Of The Crowd, S.W.A.T. and SEAL Team have gotten berths as well. In addition, Friday sees all three of CBS’ dramas, MacGyver, Blue Bloods, and Hawaii 5-0 all returning, and CBS building a new drama block on Sundays, with Madame Secretary and NCIS: Los Angeles moving to the weekend.
Check out the full schedule below.
Monday
8:00pm The Big Bang Theory
8:30pm 9JKL
9:00pm Kevin Can Wait
9:30 Me, Myself & I (new)
10pm Scorpion
Post-Thursday Night Football
8:00pm Kevin Can Wait
8:30pm 9JKL
9:00pm Me, Myself, and I
9:30 Superior Donuts (new)
10pm Scorpion
Tuesday
8:00 NCIS
9:00pm Bull
10:00pm NCIS: New Orleans
Wednesday
8:00pm Survivor
9:00pm SEAL Team (new)
10:00pm Criminal Minds (new time slot)
Thursday
Thursday Night Football
Post-Football (November 2nd)
8:00pm The Big Bang Theory (new time slot)
8:30pm Young Sheldon (new)
9:00 Mom
9:30 Life In Pieces
10:00pm SWAT (new)
Friday
8:00pm MacGyver
9:00pm Hawaii Five-0
10:00pm Blue Bloods
Saturday
8:00-10pm Crime Time Saturday
10:00pm 48 Hours
Sunday
7:00pm 60 Minutes
8:00pm Wisdom of The Crowd (new)
9:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles (new time slot)
10:00pm Madame Secretary (new time slot)
